Daryl Washington suspended for 4 games

The Arizona Cardinals will be without one of their best young players to begin the Bruce Arians era.

Inside linebacker Daryl Washington has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2013 season, the club announced Wednesday. Washington is being suspended for violation of the NFL’s policy and program for substances of abuse. Washington will remain eligible to participate in the entire offseason program as well as training camp and preseason.

“Adversity and dealing with it is part of the business but when it’s avoidable like this was, it’s particularly tough,” Arians said in a statement released by the organization. “One of the biggest things we preach is accountability; Daryl knows that and our team knows that. We will deal with this and others will have to step up until he’s back. I’m confident they will.”

Washington, in a statement also released by the team, said: “I was always taught that when you make a mistake, you admit it, learn from it and face whatever consequences there are. I take full responsibility and I understand that I let down my teammates, the organization and fans. I apologize for that and promise that no one will work harder to make up for it.”

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